Andy Murray: Novak Djokovic is the man to beat at Australian Open | Sport | The Guardian Andy Murray: Novak Djokovic is the man to beat at Australian Open • Djokovic heads into first slam of 2016 in sensational form • ‘Maybe he has a drop off,’ says a hopeful Murray Andy Murray during a practice session in Melbourne ahead of next week's Australian Open. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images Reuters Monday 11 January 2016 04.30 EST Last modified on Monday 10 October 2016 21.40 EDT Close This article is 1 year old Andy Murray’s priority for the new year is to win the Australian Open for the first time but he concedes that his hopes of success at Melbourne Park may rest on the defending champion Novak Djokovic having an off-day. Djokovic, the world No1, holds three of the four grand slam crowns after a dominant 2015 and started the new season with a bang last week, thrashing Rafael Nadal in straight sets to win the Qatar Open .

Nadal described Djokovic’s performance in the final as “perfection” and the highlights reel has made sober viewing for the Serb’s rivals warming up in Australia. Having lost to Djokovic in last year’s Australian Open final, and in those of 2011 and 2013, Murray is under few illusions as to the scale of the task. “My number one goal is to try and win here,” said the world No2, who also lost a fourth Melbourne Park final to Roger Federer in 2010 . “It’d mean a lot because of how may times I’ve been close. You just have to keep trying to learn, watch his matches, try and see if there’s any weaknesses there that you can capitalise on. “Maybe he [Djokovic] has a drop off, it’s very difficult to maintain that level for such a long period. That’s all you can do.” Federer, who lost to Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon and US Open finals, was also impressed by Djokovic’s obliteration of Nadal in Doha. “To some extent it’s surprising for sure,” said the 34-year-old.

“Maybe not so much because he’s been on a roll for a while now. Of course, he is the favourite for the Australian Open. Plus he’s played well there historically.“ The Australian Open starts on 18 January. Novak Djokovic v Andy Murray: Australian Open final stats - BBC Sport BBC Sport Novak Djokovic v Andy Murray: Australian Open final stats 30 Jan 2016 Andy Murray (left) has won only nine of his 30 matches against Novak Djokovic Australian Open: Djokovic v Murray Venue: Melbourne Park Date: Sunday, 31 January Time: 08:30 GMT Coverage: Live radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, plus text commentary on the BBC Sport website. Highlights on BBC Two from 14:05 GMT. Andy Murray accepts that he will be the underdog when he meets Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final on Sunday. The world number two is in the final of the year's first Grand Slam for the fifth time, having lost to the 28-year-old Serb in 2011, 2013 and 2015.

The Briton, who was also beaten in the 2010 final by Roger Federer, is chasing a third major title. "I don't think many people are expecting me to win. I have to just believe in myself," said Murray, 28. Djokovic has lost only three sets in six matches at Melbourne Park this year, and could equal Roy Emerson's record of winning six Australian Opens. If the Scot, who has also only gone beyond three sets twice at this year's tournament, was to beat Djokovic he would become the first man to lose four finals at a Grand Slam before claiming the title. "It's one tennis match, it doesn't matter what's happened in the past really," added Murray, who has lost 21 of the pair's 30 meetings. Djokovic targets more history Victory for Djokovic on Sunday would give him his 11th Grand Slam title, moving him level with Sweden's Bjorn Borg and Australian Rod Laver and one behind Emerson, whose six Australian Open wins in his homeland were played on grass. "These are the kind of matches that you work for.

These are the kind of occasions that define you as a tennis player," said the reigning Australian, Wimbledon and US Open champion. Djokovic beat Federer 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-3 in Thursday's semi-final, making just six unforced errors in an impressive opening two sets. Among the few flaws of his passage to the final were the 100 unforced errors he made in a five-set win over France's Gilles Simon in the fourth round. What will Murray's approach be? Murray beat Djokovic to claim his two Grand Slams, in the 2012 US Open and at Wimbledon the following year, but has lost 10 of their past 11 meetings. When asked whether all-out attack may be the best policy against the world number one, Murray pointed out several challenges of facing his regular opponent. "Roger tried to do that the other day and it's not that easy, whereas (Gilles) Simon played a completely different way and was very successful for a large part of that match.

"If you want to win against Novak you have to maintain your intensity for a long time and your level for a very long time." Share this page Australian Open 2011: how Andy Murray can beat Novak Djokovic in the final, by Boris Becker - Telegraph Andy Murray Australian Open 2011: how Andy Murray can beat Novak Djokovic in the final, by Boris Becker Boris Becker discusses where Sunday's final of the Australian Open between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will be won. Final countdown: Boris Becker says Andy Murray must mix his game up and play instinctively to beat Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final Photo: GETTY IMAGES By Boris Becker 8:57PM GMT 28 Jan 2011 Mix it up Djokovic is great in defence, so Murray will have to pick his shots. It is a completely different match to playing Roger Federer in terms of how you have to play. Against Djokovic it is more complicated because they play so alike – it is almost a joke. There is not a clear-cut game plan with Djokovic because it is almost like playing yourself.

It is not that he has to come in to the net all of the time, or throw in plenty of serve-and-volleys. He has to be instinctive, react to the situation, and take risks at the right times, rather than going for broke on every shot. Enjoy it The most important thing for Murray is to enjoy the match, to embrace being in the final and have fun. The poor guy started crying last year after losing in the final to Federer, so you can imagine the amount of pressure he had put himself under. To get to a grand slam final is already a great achievement, the pinnacle of most tennis players’ career. So you might as well enjoy the moment, because then you relax and play better. Related Articles Murray reinvents himself to break Ferrer's resistance 28 Jan 2011 A tense muscle here or there can hugely affect your shots. You can pull your ground-strokes, and being tight on his serve would certainly slow it down. Serve In terms of groundstrokes, forehands and backhands, both Murray and Djokovic are evenly matched. Their backhands are their most natural shots, but both have worked hard to improve their forehands.

Murray will certainly use his inside-out forehand to try to wrong-foot Djokovic on his backhand side. But it will be who has the better serve on the day that will be fundamental to the outcome of this final. Both players are serving the best I have seen them. It is the new element that they have added to their games. A good serve and you get many free points. How nerves affect their accuracy and pace will be crucial. Let it go long Though Djokovic is hardly in bad shape, physically Murray looks a little fitter, so the longer the match goes on, the better it will be better for Murray. The first set in a grand slam final is crucial in this regard, and far more important than strategy. Murray will want to start strongly. Mentally it is huge, but also, if it turns out to be a hot day — as is forecast — Murray will then be in a position to string out long rallies, make Djokovic work for every point. Biding his time would also cut down on some of the unforced errors Murray made against David Ferrer. The mental battle Both Murray and Djokovic have very similar styles.

They are classic counter-punchers who can rally for a long time and wait for mistakes from their opponents. So the question is who will crack first? There are no big secrets between each other, they have played against each other a number of times, so who will cope best with playing best in a grand slam final? Who can overcome the nerves and mental instability? On paper you would say that, because Djokovic has won here before, he is the favourite. Murray is yet to win his maiden slam. My gut is to favour Murray though. How Djokovic Beat Murray To Win Australian Open Final | ATP World Tour | Tennis Novak Djokovic captura su sexto título del Australian Open. How Djokovic Beat Murray To Win Australian Open Final Jan312016 Andy Murray ATPWorldTour.com breaks down the 2016 final World No. 1 Novak Djokovic defeated No. 2-ranked Andy Murray 6-1, 7-5, 7-6(3) for a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title on Sunday.

Only Roy Emerson (12), who also won six Australian crowns in the 1960s, Pete Sampras and Rafael Nadal (14) and Roger Federer (17) are now ahead of the Serbian in the all-time Grand Slam singles championship list. Djokovic is level with Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg on 11 singles majors. ATPWorldTour.com breaks down how the 2016 final at Melbourne Park was won. FIRST SET Djokovic glared at his team, seated courtside, as Murray's aggression garnered his first break point at 30/40 in the opening game, which lasted five minutes. Thereafter, it was all Djokovic as Murray won just three further points in a devastating 20-minute spell. Djokovic, who had beaten Murray in the 2011, 2013 and 2015 finals, put an element of doubt in the second seed's mind as he took a 5-0 lead.

Murray looked flat-footed and struggled for forehand consistency, but at 0-5, 30/30, he sparked into life with a stunning backhand crosscourt pass. He went on to clinch his first game, avoiding the first opening set bagel in an Australian championship final since 1953. Djokovic required three set point opportunities to take the 30-minute opener, but in the final minutes Murray's game was revived. SECOND SET The last two players to lose a first set 6-1 in the final - Djokovic's coach Boris Becker (1991) and Marat Safin (2005) - both came back to win. Could Murray do the same? The second set was more competitive and it was not without drama. Murray began to play high-risk tennis, re-gaining control in baseline rallies, but it also led to frustration. He saved four break points in a 12-minute third game, and the tide looked to have turned. But Djokovic held firm under increasing pressure. Although both players exchanged service breaks to 4-4, Djokovic rarely gave away free points.

Murray led 40/0 in the 11th game, but Djokovic won five straight points - including a 36-stroke rally. Incredibly, Djokovic gave Murray a glimmer of hope at 6-5, 30/15, when he hit two straight double faults. But the Scot could not capitalise on the lapse in concentration to work his way back into the 80-minute set. The only time Djokovic had lost a two-sets-to-love lead was against Jurgen Melzer at 2010 Roland Garros. THIRD SET Djokovic looked to be running away with the pair's 31st encounter, when he opened up a 2-0 lead and managed to snuff out a half-chance for Murray at 2-1, 30/40. Yet Murray fought back into contention, mixing up the pace of his groundstrokes to force Djokovic into a backhand error at 3-2, 30/40. In winning two straight games, Murray appeared to have gained the momentum, particularly as a number of crosscourt backhands pierced Djokovic's defences.

But Murray started the tie-break with a double fault and again at 1/3 (his fourth and fifth double faults of the match). It sealed his fate. Moments later Djokovic struck his seventh ace to complete the two-hour and 52-minute final. More stories like this in: Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray in Australian Open final Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray in Australian Open final Djokovic wins his sixth Australian Open title. Post to Facebook Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray in Australian Open final Djokovic wins his sixth Australian Open title. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: CancelSend A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. 7 To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray in Australian Open final Nick McCarvel, Special for USA TODAY Sports Published 6:37 a.m. ET Jan. 31, 2016 | Updated 11:08 a.m. ET Jan.

31, 2016 Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his final match against Andy Murray of Britain at the Australian Open on Jan. 31, 2016. (Photo: FILIP SINGER, EPA) MELBOURNE, Australia – Twenty-four hours after heavy favorite Serena Williams went down in the women’s final, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic made certain he would not be felled by the same fate in the Australian Open men’s decider. Djokovic, 28, continued his dominance in men’s tennis with a hard-fought yet decisive triumph over world No. 2 Andy Murray in what was a rematch of the men’s final from a year ago, the Serbian capturing a record-tying sixth title here Sunday with a 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (3) performance. It was another chapter in what has become the Book of Novak in men’s tennis, written on court over the last 15 months with his racket, shoes and killer confidence.

With the title, Djokovic claims an 11th Grand Slam trophy and third in a row, expanding his recent ruling over what many call “the Golden Era” of the men’s game with Djokovic, Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka as the leading cast of characters in the Grand Slam conversation. There was no discussing who was better on this night, however, as Djokovic ran through Murray from the start, earning a fifth title here in six years (in addition to his 2008 victory). He has beaten Murray in four of those. "I feel like I’ve been here before," Murray joked on court, grabbing a laugh from the crowd, after the nearly three-hour final. "I want to say congratulations to Novak and his team, he’s been incredibly consistent," Murray added. "Sorry I couldn’t get it done tonight. It’s been a tough few weeks for me. It's very, very tough for me... but this is an amazing atmosphere." Murray, tearing up at the end, added: "And finally to my wife Kim. You've been a legend the last two weeks.

I'll be on the next flight home." Steffi Graf keeps low profile as legacy grows Djokovic called Murray "a great champion, great competitor and a great friend. I wish you and Kim a very happy and healthy delivery of your baby. I hope you will experience a feeling like no other, because that’s what happened for me." Murray came close once again at Melbourne Park, but fell at the seventh and final hurdle. His game, tailor-made for the Rod Laver Arena hard court, has proved to be a lesser version of Djokovic’s Gumby-like defense-to-offense approach. Murray now trails their head-to-head 22-9 overall. (Photo: Andrew Brownbill, AP) Djokovic, much like he did in the semifinals against Federer, blasted out of the starting blocks, winning the first set in 30 minutes 6-1 behind 10 winners and 81 percent of first serve points won. The second set was an engaging and drawn-out affair, as Murray found his feet and the two players regularly exchanged in baseline bashes.

Djokovic would break in the all-important seventh game, only to be broken right back, Murray securing his first break of the night with a sizzling backhand crosscourt winner that Djokovic challenged but was shown by Hawk-Eye to be in. They’d both hold in subsequent games, but Djokovic broke again in the 11th game and then served out the 80-minute set for a 2-0 lead, saving a break point and then watching a Murray forehand crash into the net. Murray was the aggressor in this set (21 winners to eight), but also had more unforced errors, hitting 34 to Djokovic’s 19. Angelique Kerber's belief she could beat Serena could inspire others Djokovic would break a dejected Murray once again in the opening game of the third set, taking a commanding lead with an on-the-line backhand pass against a net-charging Murray. It looked like Djokovic – as he did in 2015 in the fourth set vs. Murray – would run away with this match, breaking for a 2-0 lead in the third set.

But Murray broke for 3-all and then looked the fresher of the two, popping his shots deeper and stronger as Djokovic appeared to go flat. They’d play to a third-set tiebreak, the momentum appearing to be on Murray’s side. Any edge he had was lost on the first point, however, dumping the first of two double faults in the breaker. Djokovic would sprint to a 6-1 lead, then triumphed on an ace up the T, his seventh of the night. Raising his arm in celebration, Djokovic came onto court and pounded the pavement with his hands, then knelt down and kissed it, as Murray suffered a record-setting fifth loss in an Australian Open final. “He won 25 more points than me, 26 more points. I had 25 or 26 more unforced errors,” Murray told reporters after hitting 65 unforced errors in the match to Djokovic's 41. “[In] the end of the second set, I lost from 40-Love up, that was a tough one. Maybe I could have nicked that set.

I was starting to have quite a lot of opportunities in the second.” Djokovic had his tournament jump-started in a way by a five-set challenge in the fourth round against Frenchman Gilles Simon. It was in that match where he committed a jaw-dropping 100 unforced errors. But he was in superior form in a straight-set quarterfinal win over Kei Nishikori, then his sensational best in a four-set win over Federer in the semifinals. Djokovic further benefited from an extra day of rest as Murray played a five-set semi against Milos Raonic on Friday night. Murray, on the other hand, had his mind elsewhere for much of the two weeks. His wife, Kim, is due to have their first child any day now, and the British No. 1 said he would have left the tournament early would she have gone into labor. Kim’s father, Nigel Sears, coach to Ana Ivanovic, collapsed during Ivanovic’s third round match, which happened to be while Murray was on court, as well. Murray said he would have flown home should his father-in-law had a major health problem.

Grand Slam tennis is about balancing both on- and off-court challenges, something Djokovic has excelled at. He has now won three majors in a row (Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year, and this Australian Open). He was the last player to have gone 3-for-3, during the same span in 2011 and 2012. He adds $3.4 million AUD to his $94 million career haul. It is Djokovic’s 61st career title and fifth consecutive tournament win, dating to the U.S. Open last summer. He’s won 21 straight Grand Slam matches, and 38 of 39 matches overall. After his victory, hundreds of fans holding Serbian flags greeted him in the tournament’s Garden Square as Djokovic made his way to interviews. Chanting, singing and cheering ensued as he did interview after interview. “It was amazing. I honestly did not expect that,” Djokovic said of the fans. “I did not know what was waiting. Many of these fans didn't have a ticket and chance to watch the match on the stadium, so they stayed on the main square. They waited for me.

I'm very grateful for their support. It's quite incredible. “I’ve had that fortune to win this trophy now for six times, but I never experienced such a support after the match.” Clear as his scoreline against the world No. 2 Sunday night, this guy is by far the best tennis player in the world. Since bringing on former great Boris Becker to his team in December of 2013, Djokovic has won an impeccable five of nine majors, including four out of the last five. Djokovic also has longtime coach Marian Vajda. Djokovic has brought on Becker to widen the gap between himself and his foes. His serves – both the first and second deliveries – have become stronger and more accurate; his defense-to-offense game has become even more lethal, particularly when he's stretched wide; and he now seems to live and breathe for big-stage battles.

PHOTOS: Australian Open men's final Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray to win the 2016 Australian Open final | Sport | The Guardian Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray to win the 2016 Australian Open final • Djokovic wins 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 • Serbian wins sixth Australian title and 11th grand slam Novak Djokovic beat Andy Murray 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 to win the Australian Open title for the sixth time and to claim his 11th grand slam. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images Sunday 31 January 2016 06.37 EST Last modified on Monday 10 October 2016 21.38 EDT Share on Messenger Close Novak Djokovic is Australian Open champion for the sixth time, equalling Roy Emerson’s record, but it is unlikely he will be spending much time analysing a final in which he eked out a sub-par 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) win over Andy Murray here on Sunday night.

Andy Murray: I’ll be on next flight home after defeat to Novak Djokovic Read more We were left with a familiar impression: Djokovic does everything Murray does, only better. But when they lapsed into mistakes of their own making, the Scot’s 65 were more telling, more regular, more hurtful than the Serb’s 41. It was Djokovic’s fourth win over Murray in the final of these championships – and the most ordinary – and his 11th in their past 12 matches. Djokovic now has 11 majors, and should overtake Rafael Nadal’s 14 within a year or so, then set about passing Roger Federer’s 17. This year? The world No1 will again be in the hunt for a calendar grand slam – but this was an inauspicious beginning to his campaign. Murray, meanwhile, has racked up five losing finals at the same slam, an Open Era record he will not be shouting about – although, as he says, he has done well to reach those finals, the first of which came against Federer in 2010.

Murray raised a laugh when he said courtside: “I feel like I’ve been here before. Congratulations Novak, six Australian Opens, an incredible feat, and incredible consistency the last year. Novak Djokovic wins Australian Open after beating Andy Murray – video highlights “Thanks to my own team, too. Sorry I didn’t get it done tonight, it’s been a tough few weeks for me away from the court, and I thank you all for your support. It’s very, very tough for me right now but I do appreciate playing in front of all you people. Amazing atmosphere. “Finally, to my wife Kim, who’s going to be watching back home. You’ve been a legend the past two weeks. Thanks for your support and I’ll be on the next flight home.” Jamie Murray set to beat Andy to world No1 spot after long road to top Read more Djokovic added: “I need to pay respect to Andy for another great tournament. Tough final, tough luck, Andy. You’re a great player, great friend.

I would also like to wish you and Kim a very happy delivery of your baby and I hope you will experience a feeling like no other, because that’s what happened to me and my wife.” For long stretches in the two hours and 53 minutes the match lasted, the pair hit unexplored depths of mutual awfulness, interspersed with rallies worth their place in any highlights reel. Both of them have played significantly better than this, especially against each other, in their 30 previous encounters stretching back to 2006. All but seven of those were in Tour finals or semi-finals; eight of them were in slams, including five finals. But this did not fit that template of excellence. Nor did it match the occasion. “This is the worst match I’ve ever played,” Murray was heard to say within earshot of his perplexed coach, Amélie Mauresmo, but there was no sharing the blame for this one, no excuses to be laid at the door of others, or circumstances beyond his control. Their biggest challenge was to keep a straight face during the presentation ceremony.

It was difficult to comprehend that these were the same players who entertained us in the semi-final here for four hours and 50 minutes of memorable, fighting tennis in 2012. Unstoppable Novak Djokovic is making the impossible seem possible again | Simon Cambers Read more Murray looked unusually relaxed – or was it resigned? He’d been up until the early hours after watching his brother Jamie win the doubles title with Bruno Soares, not ideal preparation for a grand slam final against the world No1, who had beaten him 21 times already. “What are you doing here taking photos?” Jamie asked him during his courtside victory speech on Saturday. “You should be in bed.” He occasionally looked as if he still was. Pinterest Novak Djokovic paid his respects to Andy Murray and wished him luck with the birth of his child. Photograph: Joe Castro/EPA A break passed him by within two minutes as Djokovic searched for his rhythm, and he handed the Serb a two-love lead with his first double-fault. In the third game, when he failed to hunt down a drop shot that would normally be a routine get for him, concerns rose that he was not at his sharpest.

His balance and timing were way off and shot after shot billowed the net or went long. When he hit long to go 0-4 down, there were grumbles of discontent around Rod Laver Arena among fans who did not feel they were getting a proper contest for their money. Murray continually glanced towards his box, but his looks were not accompanied by his usual exhortations for noise and support. He appeared distracted and disengaged; had he been alerted to news from London about the impending arrival of his first child? Jamie said he could not bear to watch from his brother’s box and would catch as much of it as he could in the players’ lounge before heading for a midnight flight back to the UK. The way the match was going, his brother could well have joined him. Djokovic v Murray: Australian Open men's final 2016 – in pictures Read more Murray won only five points in the first 20 minutes, and those almost irrelevant crumbs as Djokovic coasted towards five-love.

Serving to avoid the dreaded bagel (there had not been one in the opening set of a championship final here since 1953), Murray struggled to loosen himself from his torpor, finally rousing the crowd with a magnificent crosscourt forehand that left his opponent stranded at the net. Somehow, he held. “Let’s go Andy, let’s go!” sang his fans – a little late, perhaps. Djokovic had good support in the crowd, too, with several Serbian flags dotted around the arena, and they inched forward as he served for the set. Nearly half an hour after his first break chance, Murray got another but wasted it. On the half hour, the champion was a set up – and what a weird set of tennis it was. Looking less anxious, Murray let his arms hit more freely through the ball in the second set. His ball-striking was more assured. He roared like the lion of old when a Djokovic forehand went wide, louder when he induced a shaky backhand from him to hold – and go in front for the first time in the match after 37 minutes. Murray paused on serve at the start of the third game as a plane passed.

A double-fault, four aces, four break points, a time warning, an interjection from the crowd in the middle of his ball-toss and a few minutes later, he held. Nobody ever accused Murray of being predictable. Pinterest Andy Murray lost his fifth Australian Open final, his fourth against Novak Djokovic. Photograph: Issei Kato/Reuters All the while, Djokovic seemed an incidental bystander. He played neither brilliantly nor poorly. In fact, he did little more than let the drama take its course, holding without fuss then waiting for Murray to implode. The Scot was plainly angry with himself, but seemed trapped by his own inertia. Even his self-flagellatory screaming was subdued. But a rare and wonderful point to hold for 3-2 – passing Djokovic tight at the net after an artful exchange of drop-shots and lobs – hit the excitement button. In a slow-burning contest with no reliable patterns, Murray now had captured majority support in the stands and seemed to respond to their urgings.

But a welter of unforced errors in a long, nervous seventh game cost him his serve, and Djokovic – his own level hardly stratospheric – surely thought the set was his to lose. However, when Murray hit the line with a sizzling backhand to break back immediately, there was hope that a proper fight might now ensue, rather than an embarrassing collection of mistakes masquerading as a grand slam final. It had taken the two best players in the world an hour and 20 minutes to rack up 50 unforced errors between them. What was worrying for Murray was that he had hit the majority of those, 29, and a lot of them were training-level, memory-bank shots, carelessly executed at the wrong time. Still, he saved two break points to hold for 5-4 at the third attempt, and, for the first time, the pressure was on Djokovic after 90 minutes of unbelievably ragged tennis. He held, saved three break points, and was as surprised as anyone when Murray hit long to blow a golden chance to level at a set apiece. Australian Open verdict: what must Andy Murray do to beat Novak Djokovic?

| Kevin Mitchell Read more In the 12th game, Djokovic handed Murray break point with a double-fault. Murray duly returned the favour, hitting long, then into the net, and the Serb had a two-set lead for which he had not had to work that hard. Djokovic, 171-1 in his career when two sets up, probably anticipated a routine stroll to win No 172. Murray, however, had enough perversity left in his bones to make a fight of it, to give the final a perhaps misleading veneer of respectability. He nonetheless played some of his most assured tennis in the third set, striking the ball sweetly and with more conviction to get to a tie-break, but then it all fell to pieces. Murray, whose serve had held steady in his fightback, double-faulted twice in the first four points, to an ace by his opponent, who led 5-1 at the turnaround. Murray aced to save one of five championship points but, at 6-3 on serve, the champion kept his crown with his seventh ace of the match.

“We still love you, Andy,” someone shouted from the crowd – probably more than the player could say for himself at that moment. Andy Murray in Australian Open final after beating Tomas Berdych - BBC Sport BBC Sport Andy Murray in Australian Open final after beating Tomas Berdych By Piers Newbery BBC Sport at Melbourne Park 29 Jan 2015 Murray reaches fourth Australian Open final Briton loses first set before winning next three Djokovic and Wawrinka contest other semi-final on Friday Andy Murray came storming back after a poor start to beat Tomas Berdych and reach his fourth Australian Open final. The British number one lost a tense first set but recovered to win 6-7 (6-8) 6-0 6-3 7-5. It will be the sixth seed's eighth Grand Slam final and first working with Amelie Mauresmo, with ex-coach Dani Vallverdu now in Berdych's corner. Murray, 27, will play the winner of Friday's semi-final between Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka. "There was a little bit of extra tension - it was a big match," said Murray.

"A lot was made about Dani Vallverdu, my former coach, working with Tomas. "But we've been friends since we were 15 years old and I felt that the focus was unfair and unnecessary. "This is sport - and there's more to life than sport. It created a bit of extra tension but everyone calmed down after start of the match." The Scot's hopes were under threat after losing a tension-filled opening set, but he turned it around with a brilliant lob early in the second and took control with seven straight games. Berdych, 29, had started much the better and served for the set at 5-3, only for Murray to break straight back in a rally of huge forehands and celebrate wildly in the direction of the Czech's player box. There was a definite edge to the contest, and some sharp words followed from Murray in the next game when Berdych complained about the balls. Two more break points slipped by at 5-5 but Murray edged ahead in the tiebreak, earning the first set point, only for Berdych to save it impressively behind his serve and go on to clinch it.

Murray's Australian Open final defeats The Czech, who beat Rafael Nadal for the first time since 2006 in the quarter-finals, then suffered an unexpected collapse as Murray's game began to flow. A superb running lob, similar to the three he produced in his quarter-final win over Nick Kyrgios, helped Murray break for 2-0, and within half an hour he had taken the set to love. Berdych, seeded seventh, got back on the scoreboard early in the third but it was Murray who was pressing, and the Czech's game crumbled horribly in game six. From 40-0, Berdych double-faulted twice and missed a game point before the now rampant Murray stepped out wide and hammered a forehand down the line on break point. Match stats Break points 1/3 An ace sealed the set, and left Berdych having won just three games in 75 minutes of tennis. The fourth set came to life in game six when a fired-up Murray saved a break point with a brilliant cross-court forehand, and another with a serve, receiving a time warning along the way before smacking the ball high in delight at holding on.

Both men were pushing hard for the break, and taking every opportunity to stare the other down, but it was Berdych whose nerve failed him. Two errors and a double fault handed Murray break points at 5-5 and the Czech sent a third groundstroke flying long, allowing the Briton to serve it out with an ace moments later. Murray lost a tense first-set tiebreak, winning just one of four break points in the set But the Scot's second serve improved and he made just three unforced errors in the second set Murray's fiancee, Kim Sears, was animated in the stands as she cheered on the British number one The sixth seed is now through to his eighth Grand Slam final and fourth at the Australian Open Share this page Djokovic Beats Murray To Win 2016 Australian Open Crown | ATP World Tour | Tennis Andy Murray Serb reigns once more in Melbourne With a slice of history on the line, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic rose to the occasion on Sunday night in Melbourne as he defeated Andy Murray 6-1, 7-5, 7-6(3) in the final of the Australian Open.

Victory at Melbourne Park sees Djokovic equal Roy Emerson's record of six Australian titles. It marks his 11th Grand Slam championship, moving him into equal fifth place with Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver on the all-time list for most major titles and closing the gap on his great rivals Roger Federer (17) and Rafael Nadal (14). "Every Grand Slam title is very significant in its own way," said Djokovic. "Here, because of the fact that I managed to make history tonight and equal Roy Emerson's six Australian Open titles. I'm very honoured to be mentioned alongside legends of our sport like Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver, and to win as many Grand Slams as they did. "I can't lie and say I didn't think about it. Of course it was in the back of my mind. Coming into the court I knew that I had a chance to make history. Of course it served as a great motivation, as a great imperative to play my best." Djokovic won three of the four Grand Slam crowns in 2015, only denied the calendar slam by Stan Wawrinka in the Roland Garros final.

The 28 year old has a staggering 57-6 record in Melbourne, winning his first major title there in 2008 (d. Tsonga) before returning as champion in 2011 (d. Murray), 2012 (d. Nadal), 2013 (d. Murray) and 2015 (d. Murray). "It's phenomenal," said Djokovic. "I'm very proud of it, as is my team. We worked very hard to be in this position, and we should enjoy it. We should cherish every moment that we get to experience now because these are the tournaments that we all value, that we all want to play well on. "No doubt that I'm playing the best tennis of my life in the past 15 months." Djokovic improved to a 22-9 FedEx ATP Head2Head record against Murray as he wrapped up victory in two hours and 53 minutes. The Belgrade native won six of their seven meetings last season. Since Murray defeated the Serb in the 2012 US Open final, Djokovic has won 14 of their past 16 contests.

Djokovic made a lightening start to the match. After saving a break point in his opening game, the Serb raced into a 5-0 lead in just 19 minutes. Murray began to find his range in the latter stages, but could not stop Djokovic sealing the opener in 30 minutes. In a keenly contested second set, Murray saved four break points in the third game, before he paid the price for forehand unforced errors as Djokovic broke for a 4-3 lead. Murray immediately struck back, breaking for the first time in the match to level at 4-4, but lost his serve from a 40/0 advantage in the 11th game as Djokovic regained the initiative. Two double faults from Djokovic gave Murray the chance to level in the 12th game, but the Serb steadied himself to close out the two-set lead. Building on his momentum, Djokovic broke Murray in the first game of the third set, but the Dunblane native was not going down without a fight. He broke Djokovic in the sixth game to draw level and ultimately force a tie-break.

But two double faults from Scot proved his undoing in the early stages of the tie-break, gifting Djokovic a lead that he would never recover.

Question: Who beat Andy Murray in the final of the Australian Open in January 2011?
Answer: Novak Djokovic